The Therapeutic Process

Therapy is a relationship between people that works in part because of clearly defined rights and responsibilities held by each person. As a client in psychotherapy, you have certain rights and responsibilities that are important for you to understand.

Creating a Therapeutic Relationship

  • The therapeutic process starts with you and me forming a working relationship. It is an active process in which you will assist me in guiding you in accordance to your own specific goals.
  • Ultimately therapy is about you and your needs; if you feel that I am not the right person to assist you, please let me know so that I can help to refer you to someone more suitable. In turn, if I believe that I am not suitable to address your specific needs effectively, I will discuss it with you and assist you in finding a more suitable therapist.

The Risks and Benefits of Psychotherapy

  • Psychotherapy has the potential to yield many benefits for individuals who undertake it. Therapy often leads to a significant reduction in feelings of distress, increased satisfaction in interpersonal relationships, greater personal awareness and insight, increased skills for managing stress and resolutions to specific problems. There are however no guarantees with regard to the outcome or the pace of psychotherapy. Psychotherapy requires a very active effort on your part. In order for psychotherapy to be most beneficial, you will have to work on and think about the things we discuss outside of sessions.
  • The process of psychotherapy often requires discussing the unpleasant aspects of your life. Therefore potential risks may include experiencing uncomfortable feelings such as sadness, guilt, anxiety, anger, frustration, loneliness and helplessness. Misunderstandings and frustrations are not uncommon and can in fact be a sign of change and growth. I invite you to discuss any unpleasant or vulnerable aspects of this process so that we can address them together.

Starting and Ending Therapy

  • The first few sessions will involve a comprehensive evaluation of your needs. By the end of this evaluation, I will be able to offer you some initial impressions of what our work might include. At that point we will discuss your treatment goals and create an initial treatment plan.
  • Terminating therapy: Ideally we will discuss the ending of therapy and have a final closure session where we can discuss what we have achieved and address any unfinished concerns. I invite you to discuss your intent to terminate therapy with me rather than to allow an unfinished process. You may however terminate therapy at any time and you are also welcome to return should you wish to work with me again.

Getting the Most out of Therapy

  • Therapy involves a commitment of time, money and energy and it is therefore important that you take the time to consider this commitment. I invite you to be patient with yourself, your unique needs and the pace of your development and healing.
  • I undertake to work to the best of my ability to provide you with a professional service and if at any time you are unhappy with what is happening in therapy, I hope that you will talk to me so that I can respond to your concerns. Your concerns will be taken seriously and handled with care and respect.
  • You have the right to safe, considerate and respectful care, without discrimination as to race, ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, age or religion. Should you feel that I have not given your concerns the appropriate and respectful consideration; you have the right to address this with the Health Professions Council of South Africa. Their website (www.hpcsa.co.za) gives detailed information on how to lodge a complaint.